Giants Blow One In NY

Coming off one of the toughest series of the season, and heading into one of the toughest road trips on the schedule, a lot of people where picking now as a point in the season that will define what this team will do the rest of the way. The Giants got swept by Colorado for the first time in the teams' history, and the losing streak continued in New York on Tuesday. The Giants once again got a terrific performance from their young phenom, Tim Lincecum as he threw another 7 quality innings in which he looked un-hittable at times. He made one mistake to Carlos Delgado and paid for it, but other than that, he did what he has done in his previous 3 starts. The bullpen even kept the team in the game until Armondo Benitez was called upon to try and close it out. Benitez, making a return to the place where he pitched for the majority of his career, showed the Mets' fans what they certainly haven't missed over the last 4 years. I don't want to let the offense off the hook on this one, as they had some opportunities that they didn't cash in on, but Benitez does have to shoulder this loss. Two brain farts in the form of balks, in one inning, are you kidding me? Not to mention walking one of the most dangerous base runners' in the game to lead off the inning, with a 1 run lead. The Giants battled in extra innings to keep the game tied and finally broke through with a run. I'd have to say the worst blown saves happen when your team gains a lead in extra innings, only to have the closer blow it away in the bottom half of the inning. I have tried to defend Benitez as much as I possibly could and really thought that this year would be an improvement on the last 2, but the only improvement I have seen in him is his health. His fastball is still around 90-91 and his control with his slider and split are so sporadic that they are almost unusable in certain situations. I think it's time that the Giants swallow some pride (and some cash) and let Benitez go. At least the other unproductive relievers on this team (Chulk and Kline) are good guys to have around the clubhouse. Benitez is truly hurting this team more than helping at this point, and it's not even close. Time to start the "Russ For Closer" campaign if you ask me.

The Giants played Tuesday's game without 3 of their top 5 hitters in the lineup with two of them out because of injury. The news on Dave Roberts seems to be positive as he is targeting Friday, June 8th as a return date from his elbow injury. This offense could certainly use Roberts' bat and legs at the top of the lineup. Winn has been awesome in the leadoff spot in Roberts' absence, but the number 2 spot in the order has been a black hole this season. Vizquel has slumped there so far, and Freddie Lewis has gone stone cold since his first week in the bigs. Ideally, I'd like to see Winn in the 2 spot and Klesko in the 3 spot when Roberts returns. Hopefully when Roberts gets back, Ray Durham will still be in the lineup. He strained his abdomen over the weekend, and isn't likely to play until Friday at the earliest. There is still a good chance he could get put on the DL, which would mean Kevin Frandsen would take over as the everyday 2nd basemen. I like Frandsen, and he has been making some loud contact lately, but the Giants need Durham's run production in the middle of the order. The offense is struggling right now, no question about it, but they aren't at full strength. Hopefully that changes over the next 10 days.